You can't conquer the final frontier unless you can cut an imposing figure. That's why so many science fiction and fantasy characters rock the awesome shoulderpads. Or, as we call them, "swagger pinnacles." Here are science fiction/fantasy's most astounding shoulderpads.

Seriously, shoulderpads are coming back in the fashion world, and science fiction is a major influence. So it's important to look into the roots of this trend!

And here's Shredder's live-action incarnation, with his truly amazing shoulderpads on display. He got that name because he operated the paper shredder at his office temp job, but then he melted it down and mounted it on his shoulders.

Still the greatest bad movie of all time, Battlefield Earth.

Wesley Snipes in Demolition Man — Sly Stallone is probably annoyed that he doesn't get to rock the awesome shoulderpads this time.